Charing Cross station has been transformed into a pop art spectacle, rebranded as ‘Haring Cross.’
For two days only, the London underground station has been ‘taken over’ with two original masterpieces by late American street artist Keith Haring in a striking pop-up tribute to the artist.
The social activist, who died in 1990, gained fame in the 1980s largely due to the thousands of drawings he created on the walls of the New York subway.
‘Haring Cross’ was unveiled today, coinciding with the launch of the limited-edition Absolut Haring Artist-Edition bottle.
The artist’s association with the vodka brand goes back nearly four decades when artist Andy Warhol encouraged him to reinterpret the brand’s iconic bottle in his unique style.
Spokesperson for the spirit maker, Deb Dasgupta, said: “We have long believed that art should always be open, joyful and for everyone. Keith Haring’s work radiated that belief – full of energy, colour and hope.
“With Absolut Haring, we’re inviting a new generation to celebrate that spirit in a public space – in an underground station that reflects and connects to the subways that inspired Haring more than forty years ago.”
Advertising spaces across the station and escalator walls, featuring the artist’s distinctive dancing figures, will be used to display the Haring-inspired artwork.
The walls boast a red and yellow colour scheme, mirroring the vibrant palette of many of Haring’s most iconic works.
Bold strokes, vibrant hues, cartoonish figures, and a fusion of street art and pop art techniques characterise the work.
In line with the trailblazer’s philosophy that “art is for everybody,” a limited number of free posters featuring his 1986 reinterpretation of the vodka brand’s bottle will also be available for visitors to take directly from the station wall.
Emma Strain, customer director at Transport for London (TfL), added: “The London Underground has a long-standing connection to the art world. We’re delighted to work with Absolut to host Keith Haring’s art at Charing Cross Tube station.
“Activations like this provide our customers with a new way to experience art in London.”